TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Republican and a Democratic state senator have asked the Florida Supreme Court Tuesday to order Gov. Rick Scott to take $2.4 billion in federal stimulus money for a high-speed rail project.
Governor Scott is being sued over high-speed rail. Two weeks ago, the governor rejected the money to build the train between Tampa and Orlando. Now, lawmakers want to force him to take the money.
The Supreme Court issued an order Tuesday, telling Scott he must respond to the lawsuit by 4:00pm on Wednesday.
The legislators from both parties said they already approved high-speed rail and the governor didn't have the right to refuse it. The train, if built, would run right down the median of Interstate 4.
The battle over high-speed rail is now chugging in a new direction.
Republican Senator Thad Altman of Melbourne and democrat Senator Arthenia Joyner of Tampa filed a lawsuit with the Florida Supreme Court against Governor Scott.
Governor Scott has called the project a "boondoggle."
"They have not convinced me taxpayers are not on the hook," Scott said.
Scott, who was at a tourism event in Orlando Tuesday, said he fears taxpayers will have to pay for cost overruns, future operating costs and may even have to pay back the entire $2.4 billion if the project falls apart.
Train supporters argue it would bring thousands of jobs and is important for tourism.
"Rail needs to be looked at as the future of Florida," Representative Scott Randolph of Orlando said.
In the lawsuit, the state leaders contend Scott overstepped his bounds by halting a project that legislators already approved in 2009.
The Federal Transportation Department extended the deadline for Scott to change his mind to Friday. Now, with the lawsuit, Senator Bill Nelson is asking the federal government to give another extension, even though Scott hasn't given any hint that he'll change his mind.
"Whatever happens, my job is to represent the taxpayers of the state," Scott said.
Gov. Scott issued the following statement in response to the lawsuit: "My position remains unchanged, I've yet to see any evidence that Florida taxpayers would not be on the hook. Senators Altman and Joyner's disrespect for taxpayers is clear by their lawsuit trying to force the state to spend this money."
Altman and Joyner hope to have the hearing by Friday.
One lingering question is will SunRail be next?
While Scott hasn't decided whether to let SunRail move forward, supporters of the project told WFTV they're also prepared to take Scott to court.
WFTV
